THE INDIGENOUS HIGH FOREST SITUATED IN THE 



DIVISIONS OF GEORGE, KNYSNA AND 



HUMANSDORP, CAPE PROVINCE. 



By John Spurgeon Henkel. 



Introduction. 



As from time to time enquiries have been made about the 

 indigenous forests belonging to the Government and situated 

 in the divisions of George, Knysna and Humansdorp, it occurred 

 to the writer that members of the South African Association 

 for the Advancement of Science, as well as others, would be 

 interested in a short description of the forests and a statement 

 of the system of management. This paper does not deal with 

 the botanical aspect, but treats briefly with the distribution of 

 the high forest, and explains the system of management prac- 

 tised. 



The writer has based his account on observations — by no 

 means complete — made during the past three years, but it is 

 hoped that sufficient data will be supplied to give an idea of 

 the nature of the forests ; their relation to other woodlands of 

 the world ; the method of managing, utilizing and protecting 

 them as practised at present. 



Tract of Country Referred to. 



The tract of country in which the forests occur lies between 

 Long. 22° 10' E. and 24 20' E. and Lat. 33 ° 50' S. and 34 

 10' S., corresponding with Great Brak River in the west and 

 Clarkson in the east. The area is bounded on the south by the 

 Indian Ocean and on the north by the Outeniqua — T'Zitzikama 

 — -Karedouw Mountains. The range is a continuation of the 

 Lange Bergen, and has an average height of about 4,000 feet. 

 There are numerous peaks, the more important of which are : — 

 Cradocksberg, 5,176 feet; Hoogeberg, 4,666 f eeft ; Formosa, 

 5,500 feet. 



From Peak Formosa the range gradually decreases in height 

 until it merges into the coastal plateau or terrace which extends 

 from Brak River to Cape St. Francis. The range generally 

 runs east and west, and has two spurs — of great significance — 

 bending S.E. towards and terminating on the coast. The first 

 spur occurs a few miles east of George, and the second ter- 

 minates midway between Knysna River and Seal Point. The 

 mountain range is a series of folds, gradually decreasing in 

 height southwards. The area is intersected by numerous 

 streams and deep ravines. The coast-line is precipitous, except 

 between Kaaimans River and Knysna Heads and a small por- 

 tion at Plettenberg Bay. 



Geological Formation. 

 The area lies in the folded belt of the Table Mountain 

 Sandstone series. The higher points are all of this formation. 



